WTVS - Final Sign Off - April 16, 2009

WTVS Channel 56, Detroit Public Television, Detroit, MI.
Today, WTVS signed off the air for the final time on Channel 56.
Their digital chanel remains going on channel 43.

A classy sign off with the national anthems, including the Canadian one, a slight rarity for a US station, perhaps a nod to its being on an international boundary or its siginificant cable coverage and contributions to and from Canada.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• wtvs
• channel
• 56
• detroit
• sign
• off

[ferrari2197]

wow the Canadian anthem. Why? A-channel or CBC doesn't do the USA one.

[theSameRetroWindsor]

Likely a nod to the carriage of WTVS all accross Canada.

[Davros2006]

I couldn't tape it due to scheduling conflicts on my DVD recorder, so thank you, Robert, for putting it online.

[theSameRetroWindsor]

No problem, I'm glad they went off before June 12, lol. I only have 4 VCR's for WJBK, WDIV, WXYZ and WWJ's final sign off's. I also have a DVD recorder for WKBD. That should cover them all, lol.

[RetroWinnipeg]

I wouldn't expect these stations to have special sign-offs. I recorded WDAZ on February 17, and nothing special occurred. Of course, maybe it's different when it's not from cable...

[theSameRetroWindsor]

It probably is, because on cable, WTVS did not show this, they just showed standard programming, I taped this off antenna.

[Empressofwar]

Nice to know that they gave a little nod to Canada before they signed off. =D

Go Canada!!

[MasterChiefSquare]

thank you for capturing a classic moment in television history. this is one of the best sign offs i've ever seen (for the digital conversion that is).

[writerpatrick]

@ferrari2197 As with many US stations, some PBS stations like WNED are available in Canada and even get some of their funding from Canadians.

[crazyrabbits]

The residents of Detroit are now honorary Canadians.

:)

[teg24601]

@theSameRetroWindsor You are correct. KCTS in Seattle and WGBH in Boston do the same thing because they along with WTVS are broadcast all across Canada on Cable and Satellite.

[WestWash97]

@pigeonshouse

What's the purpose of these 'DTV switchovers'?

[Jerseysson27]

@ShaqFlims Perhaps i can help clear the air a bit, you see, michigan is bordered with canada due to in part with the lakage, and they are close to canada, so they share the same frequency, and they have to acknowledge the two countries, especially mexico and the usa. If you want proof, look up the XETV Sign on

[dmhharris]

WTVS-TV & WTVS-DT Detriot, Michigan, United States Of America (Channel 56.1) - Final Sign Off (April 16, 2009 (Thursday))

[DetroitLives313]

"Oh Canada" was always played along with the "Star Spangled Banner" at the end of the television broadcast day when I was growing up. I never thought it odd or strange until a comment here on Youtube.

[ShaqFlims]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT­TTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!! WTVS IS in Canada Its American Dammit!!!!!!!!!!

[matthewdurocher]

What a classy way to end. As someone from Windsor Ontario (across the river from Detroit), I grew up with Ch. 56....and my folks donated money a few times to them....mind you the Digital Switch was a bit of a scam.

[foamer4269]

I'm not from the Detroit area, but this reminds of Ch.17 WNED in Buffalo (my PBS station). They would always play O Canada! and The Star-Spangled Banner. I grew up on that station, however when they went digital they did at midnight and just cut in the middle of a station ID. The WTVS sign-off brings back lots of memories. I wish WNED has done the same. About American station playing O Canada, WKBW, WUTV and WNYO still play the song. I don't believe it's required just a curtosey.